"Philly Undercover" goes undercover with law enforcement officers fighting animal cruelty in Philadelphia. A war is being waged against animal cruelty in the City of Brotherly Love, where dogfighting has become a lucrative illegal sport. The series premiered on Nat Geo Wild on, January 7, 2012, and moves to its regular timeslot on Monday, January 9, at 9:00 p.m. ET/P.
Canines are beaten, starved, abused and forced to literally fight for their lives. But now, there’s a highly specialized crime-fighting unit on the front lines, infiltrating Philadelphia’s criminal underworld to put an end to dogfighting and the inhumane treatment of animals.
Viewers can ride along with the PSPCA's Undercover Police Unit on covert surveillance operations and raids.
“Dogfighting, especially in the Philadelphia area, has exploded in the last three years.
It’s almost like narcotics. It runs on a lot of different levels —to be able to really penetrate the battlesof it, you really need to have an undercover team.” — Chief Investigator George Bengal
Nat Geo WILD’s new six-part series Philly Undercover embeds with the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), an undercover police team tasked with eliminating dogfighting and protecting all animals from abuse and neglect.
Using covert operations and undercover stings, members of this five-strong unit investigate a wide range of cases. These dedicated cops take on some of the city’s toughest criminals, with their penchant for illegal gambling, drugs, firearms and gang violence. The stakes are high and the risks even higher, because being marked as a cop can cost more than just the investigation.
“When you go undercover, the risks are huge. It takes a unique individual — you have to blend in like you’re not even there,” says Chief Investigator George Bengal. It’s a scary reality caught on tape, as cameras capture the heart-pounding moments after two officers are “made” by known criminals in a drug-infested neighborhood.
Nat Geo WILD is on the front lines, joining a two-day stakeout that leads to one of the biggest dogfighting busts in Philadelphia’s history — 14 suspects are arrested, and several horribly neglected, abused and injured dogs are saved. Armed with a hidden camera and a borrowed puppy, we are also with the team as they arrest an underground veterinarian suspected of illegal ear cropping. And we respond to an extreme case of animal hoarding, where 15 cats are found living in unbearable conditions.
Meet the PSPCA Undercover Unit:
George Bengal, Director of Law Enforcement - With over 40 years of law enforcement experience, Chief Investigator George Bengalis a no-nonsense guy who leads PSPCA’s Humane Police Officers, including the Undercover Animal Fighting Task Force.
Nicole Wilson, Assistant Director of Humane Law Enforcement - As the only female officer on the team, she can pose as a crackhead or prostitute in dangerous neighborhoods to get critical intel for a case.
Jason Martinez, Humane Society Police Officer - Jason’s Puerto Rican background and fluency in Spanish and English allow him to seamlessly blend into many of the neighborhoods the officers investigate.
Wayne Smith, Humane Society Police Officer - Having come from the streets of Philadelphia, Wayne is able to put himself in the minds of the suspects, a skill that is essential in helping anticipate developments in investigations.
Leonard Knox, Humane Society Police Officer - He’s one of the most seasoned officers. With years of experience under his belt and a gray beard, Leonard can maneuver through the streets without attracting attention.
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